Needham Market Women made it a hattrick of wins after a comprehensive 4-2 victory against Bowers & Pitsea at Bloomfields.
First half goals from Mia Etheridge and a brace from Lois Balfour gave the home side a comfortable lead at the break.
The away side scored twice - at the start and end of the second half - thanks to Courtney Fraser and Kelsey Smith with another deflected corner, but Needham were comfortable thanks to Ellie Rossiter.
They started the game on the front foot and could have been a couple ahead early on, but the goal was coming and when it came what a beauty it was.
Eva Hubbard launched a long diagonal from left back right down the heart of the opposition defence, where Etheridge ghosted into head over the on-rushing keeper and into the empty net.
It was two not long after as Balfour immaculately controlled the ball from a poor Bowers defensive header, she took aim from 25 yards and only one result!
Chances came and went for Needham, but they managed to add a third when Balfour’s corner looked to go straight in with a deflection off the keeper at the front post.
After the break bowers put the pressure on in search of a way back into the game – which they did 10 minutes into the half after a neat move saw Fraser free and she lashed one into the top corner.
But straight from the kick off Needham drove forward and won a free kick on the left, Balfour whipped it in, and Rossiter swept in at the back post to restore the three-goal advantage.
Both teams had chances, but the game started to drift in the cold darkness descending on Bloomfields.
It looked like the scoring was over but right at the death another corner and another deflection gave smith and Bower’s a late consolation.
Overall though another good day that keeps the team well in the hunt at the top end of the table as the chase to pull Luton back in continues.
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